Montana sweeps opening round of Montana-Wyoming all-star basketball series

SHERIDAN — Montana pulled out one more sweep of Wyoming to open the 2022 Midland Roundtable Montana-Wyoming all-star basketball collection in Sheridan, with the ladies pulling away late and the blokes blowing the sport open within the first half.

GIRLS: Montana 69, Wyoming 59

Mya Hansen poured in 19 factors to steer the Montana women to a hard-fought victory over Wyoming, 69-59, for the tenth consecutive win within the collection,

Montana held a slim 50-49 lead after three quarters however put the clamps down defensively within the fourth quarter to tug away. That protection coupled with some big-time buckets from Hansen put the sport to relaxation.

“We simply pulled collectively as a crew. You might inform we have been a bit frantic firstly,” Hansen mentioned. “We have solely had two practices enjoying collectively. We have performed effectively to date and eventually constructed that chemistry to play effectively collectively. What it comes right down to is protection. We progressively obtained higher at protection and we have to convey that proper again out (Saturday).”

Hansen was one in all three Montana women in double figures, as Melstone’s Draya Wacker and Missoula Hellgate’s Bailee Sayler added 10 apiece. Good ball motion all through the sport allowed Montana to grind out baskets in a bodily sport. Allison Olsen led Wyoming with 13.

“They’re a very good crew. They’re a really athletic crew and so they’ve obtained some nice defenders,” Hansen mentioned. “It’s positively more durable on ball, however as soon as we begin transferring that ball we begin transferring that ball and discover one another large open. After we get caught up one on one we’re not pretty much as good, however once we get that chemistry we’re good.”

With its tenth consecutive win, Montana now leads the collection 36-13.

BOYS: Montana 103, Wyoming 76

Montana led by simply six after the primary quarter however out-scored Wyoming 33-10 within the second to take a commanding 29-point lead at halftime on its option to a 103-76 win, the nineteenth consecutive for Montana within the collection.

Damon Gros Ventre, one in all Montana’s most prolific scorers in state historical past, poured in 22 factors to steer Montana, although the boys from the Treasure State had everybody rating, 5 of which hit double figures.

“That is who we’re. We’re high 10 finest within the state. We have to only feed one another the rock and as soon as all of us get our rhythm going it feels good,” Gros Ventre mentioned.

Montana put the clamps on Wyoming for prolonged durations all through the sport, holding them to only 73 whole factors. Though Montana received large, they misplaced the second half by two. They know they’re going to have to preserve the foot on the gasoline on Saturday evening in Lockwood.

“Simply protection and rebounds. Communication, rebounding and pushing the ground,” Gros Ventre mentioned. “(Coach Keller) has been on us lots. These guys are good shooters and we have got to shut out the three. Our rotations, we talk. Communication is primary for us (Friday).”

Davis Crilley of Wyoming matched Gros Ventre’s 22 factors. Owen Lengthy had 16, Rhett Reynolds had 15 Peyton Sanders had 13 and Jackson Bayse had 10.

Montana’s nineteenth consecutive win strikes the all-time collection benefit to 64-27.